Lloyd’s Register, Seatransport and Deployable Energy developing nuclear power for ships

Queensland’s ship design group Seatransport and Houston-based Deployable Energy are collaborating with Lloyd’s Register (LR) to develop nuclear power generation for different applications, including strategic response vessels in remote areas.

Using micro modular reactor (MMR) technology, two to five MMRs of 1MWe capacity each will power a 73-metre amphibious vessel, designed for emergency response and disaster relief duties in remote areas. This will enable the vessel to operate for 8-10 years without refuelling, and it can feed power into the shore grid of affected areas and whenever docked at port.

LR, a global professional maritime services group with deep expertise in maritime and nuclear innovation, is leading the programme to ensure quality, protocols and safety aspects are established and followed.

Claudene Sharp-Patel, LR’s Global Technical Director, said: “As nuclear technology progresses towards maritime applications, LR is uniquely positioned to help develop these initiatives. We bring our extensive history in maritime and nuclear safety, providing a strong foundation for safe, insurable, and scalable nuclear-powered shipping. Our extensive experience with small modular reactors in the defence sector further demonstrates our commitment to safety and innovation.”

The concept was presented at LR’s recent Australia Advisory Committee Meeting with Remko Hottentot, LR Commercial Manager – Australasia, signing the agreement with the Australian parties.

LR’s Fuel for Thought: Nuclear report provides an analysis of nuclear’s current status and future potential in maritime decarbonisation. Fuel for Thought is an industry-leading series of reports and webinars on alternative ship fuels, covering technology advances, policy developments, and emerging trends and opportunities.

Video of the 73-metre MMR-powered vessel:

About Lloyd’s Register 

Trusted maritime advisors, partnering with clients to drive performance across the ocean economy. 

Lloyd’s Register (LR) is a global professional services group specialising in marine engineering, technology and digital solutions. We were created more than 260 years ago as the world’s first marine classification society to improve and set standards for the safety of ships. 

Today we are a leading provider of classification and compliance services to the marine and offshore industries, helping our clients design, construct and operate their assets to accepted levels of safety and environmental compliance. 

We also provide advisory services and digital solutions, supporting fleet and voyage performance and optimisation.  

Our digital solutions are relied upon by more than 30,000 vessels, following the acquisition of OneOcean in 2022 and Ocean Technologies Group in 2024. 

In the race to zero emissions, our research, advisory and technical expertise and industry-firsts are supporting a safe, sustainable maritime energy transition. 

Lloyd’s Register Group is wholly owned by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, a politically and financially independent global charity that promotes safety and education.

For more information, go to www.lr.org